Stanford cuts 11 programs
Stanford was already facing some difficult financial choices as it tried to support one of the nation’s largest athletics departments.
The coronavirus pandemic forced a dramatic and painful decision: Faced with a nearly $25 million deficit next year, Stanford became the first known Power Five school to eliminate athletic programs because of the pandemic, announcing Wednesday that 11 of its 36 varsity sports will be shuttered next year.
The school will discontinue men’s and women’s fencing, field hockey, lightweight rowing, men’s rowing, co-ed and women’s sailing, squash, synchronized swimming, men’s volleyball and wrestling after the 2020-21 academic year. Stanford also is eliminating 20 support staff positions.
“As you can imagine this has been a heartbreaking day for all of us, especially with those student-athletes and coaches involved,” athletic director Bernard Muir said. “We came to this decision only after exhausting all other viable alternatives. It recently became painfully clear we would not remain financially stable and support 36 varsity sports at a nationally competitive level, which is what we desire.”
The pandemic shut down sports in March, including the massive revenue-generating NCAA basketball tournaments. With no March Madness, the NCAA was short $375 million scheduled to be distributed to its member schools.
Mostert requests trade from SF
Raheem Mostert wants out of San Francisco.
Mostert’s agent, Brett Tessler, announced a stalemate in contract talks and thus the trade demand via Twitter, which Mostert retweeted.
“After months of unproductive talks with the 49ers about fairly adjusting Raheem Mostert’s contract (which paid him for special teams) we have requested a trade,” Tessler tweeted.
“Disappointing that it would come to this for a guy who led all NFL RBs in YPC & helped lead them to the Super Bowl.”
Mostert set a franchise record by rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns in the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game win over Green Bay.
Delle Donne waits
WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne is waiting to have her case heard by the league’s independent panel of doctors to see if she’ll be medically excused for the season, the Washington Mystics said Wednesday.
The Mystics star, who was the league Most Valuable Player last year, has battled Lyme Disease since 2008 and would potentially be at a higher risk for serious illness if she contracted the new coronavirus.
Delle Donne tweeted Wednesday night that she was following protocol and waiting for results.
“Missing my teammates but health and safety are the priority,” she said.